Scientific Name
Acacia pycnantha Benth.
Common Name(s)
Golden Wattle, Australian Golden Wattle
Synonym(s)
Acacia falcinella, Acacia petiolaris, Acacia westoni
Scientific Classification
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Mimosoideae
Tribe: Acacieae
Genus: Acacia
Flower
Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Late winter and spring
Description
Acacia pycnantha is an evergreen tree with phyllodes (flattened leaf stalks) instead of true leaves. It grows up to 26 feet (7.8 m) tall. Phyllodes are sickle-shaped, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, and up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide. The profuse flowers are fragrant, yellow or golden-yellow, and appear in late winter and spring, followed by long seed pods.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 7a to 10b: from 0 °F (−17.8 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Acacia requires full sunlight and grows in nearly any soil, including sand, clay, or highly alkaline or acidic soil. Although Acacia prefers well-drained soil, it tolerates muddy soil for short periods. Acacia is a plant-it-and-forget-it type of tree, although a young tree may need protection from wildlife while developing its defense system. The tree benefits from an orchid fertilizer during the first year every three to four weeks. After that time, you can feed the tree a general-purpose fertilizer once every year, but it isn't an absolute requirement. Acacia requires little or no water.
Acacia may need occasional pruning during the dry months. However, avoid pruning leafy green areas and trim only dead growth.
Although the tree is disease-resistant, it can sometimes be affected by a fungal disease known as anthracnose. Additionally, watch for pests such as aphids, thrips, mites, and scale.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Acacia.
Origin
This species is native to southeastern Australia.
Links
- Back to genus Acacia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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